Windsor business man pleads guilty in theft case

A Windsor businessman accused of stealing more than $150,000 from his elderly business partner pleaded guilty to a theft charge and faces sentencing next month.

Garry Kohler , 37, was charged with four felonies last year, accused of bilking John MacQueen Sr., then 82, out of $157,702. Kohler was accused of skimming from work invoices, double and triple billing for work through his construction business and failing to repay a personal loan, according to an affidavit. He was also accused of stealing funds from their shared business, Aymac Piering.

Kohler originally faced several charges, including two counts of theft from an at-risk adult. As part of an agreement with the Weld District Attorney's Office, Kohler pleaded guilty this week to one count of theft between $1,000 and $20,000, a felony.

According to an arrest affidavit, MacQueen originally hired Kohler for construction jobs and eventually entered into a construction business venture with him. After Kohler took over the company's books and refused to let MacQueen see them, MacQueen had an accountant look over the businesses' financial records.

The accountant noted that Kohler was issued two extra paychecks, he had made large cash withdrawals and large transfers to his personal account, and he had used company funds to pay personal bills, according to the affidavit. Kohler was also accused of pocketing payments from customers, all the while covering his tracks using codes for personal transactions.